Tee



A. E. LARD.

TEE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT-8,1921.

1,42-1 @A83, Patented Mar. 21, 1922.

gwoamfoz rnureo stares aarewr onwce ALLAN E. LARD, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE METALLIC SHAFT COMPANY. OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION or DELAWARE.

TEE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that'I, ALLAN E. LARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at 'll'ashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tees, of which the following --is a specification.

This invention pertains to tees for use in the playing of the game of golf.

Tees of various forms and constructions have come into more or less extended use during recent years and have given more or less satisfaction. Certain objections still obtain, particularly as to the provision of tees ofdiiferent heights in a simple structure which may be readily handled and positioned.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a simple structure wherein a plurality of tees or ball supporting cups of different heights will be present so that either may be readily used to meet the conditions of play. Shots into the wind or over hard turf call for a low tee and shots with the wind or over soft turf call for a high tee. It is manifestly more convenient to have both the high and low tees combined in a single structure than it is to carry a separate tee for each height.

A further object of the invention is to so form or shape the cup or holder proper that the ball may be quickly and securely seated in a way that will not retard its start when the club head impactswith the ball.

Vith these and other objects in view reference willbe had to the annexed drawings wherein,-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the tee.

Fig. 2 a similar view of the weight shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 a side elevation of one end of thetee, the weight being shown in section.v

Fig. 4 a transverse section through the weight and the body or bar of the tee.

Fig. 5 a" perspective view of a modified form of weight and a section of the tee bar.-

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 8, 1921. Serial No. 506,462.

still further embodiment of the weight. and

Fig. 12 a perspective view of a modified proper may be said to comprise two cups or ball rests of different heights connected by a flexible bar 1.

Each cup comprises in the form illustrated a cylindrical body 2 and a base or outwardly extending flange 3 the base preferably being made slightly larger than the diameter of the cup so as to ensure a proper seating of the structure upon the ground.

The connecting bar which is preferably made flat and rectangular in cross section extends from the lower portion of each of the cups and above the flange 3 the parts being by preference integrally molded from a single piece of rubber preferably vulcanized; a canvass strengthening strip 1 being preferably vulcanized to the under face of the bar.

Each cup at its upper edge and at a side at right angles to the axis of the bar 1 will be cut away or rounded out as at '4, such cut away portion or depression being upon that side from which the ball when driven leaves the tee, and preferably registers approxi- I mately with the circular form of the ball.

Inasmuch as the club in the follow through of the swing may hit the cup or holderit is essential to weight the tee to prevent its flying off into space and it is of course essential that the weight be so far removed from the cup in which the ball is seated and from which it is driven that the club head can not hit the weight. lVhen the high cup is used the weight is shifted until it strikes the low cup and when the low cup is used the weight is shifted until it strikes the high cup; For this purpose I make the weight shiftable upon the bar so that it may be moved as before stated toward or from either cup. In Fig. 1 it is shown close to the low cup and remote from the high cup which would be the normal position when the ball was to be driven by a right handed player from the high cup or.

' holder.

, The weight is designated by 5 and in the form shown in Figs. 1 to 4 is produced from a length or strip of metal bent to form about the bar 1. r

The edges and corners of the strip will be rounded so as to leave no objectionable projections. The dimensionsof'the bar 1 and the opening in the weight should be such that the weight may be easily slid from one end of the bar to the other, toward or from either of the cups.

As will be seen upon reference to Fig. 3 the base 3 will squarely seat itself upon the ground or turf and the bar 1 will flex or bend upwardly toward the weight out of contact with the ground, the grass and the uneven surfaces thereof thus avoiding the tendency of such surfaces to tip the ball out of the cup.

In Figs. 5 and 6 a two part weight is shown comprising a body 6 and a closure plate 7 secured thereto in any suitable manner, as threaded pins 8, the outer end of v which may be upset to secure the plate 7 in place. I

In Fig. 7 a further two part weight is shown, the wei ht being round in outline and'the two sections 9 and 10 alike in form; they may be-secured together in any suitable manner. t

In Fig. 8 a weight comprising two pieces 11 and 12 is illustrated. The member 11 is open on one side and such side is closed by the element 12 secured to the member 11 by screws or in any suitable manner.

With the form of weights disclosed in Figs. 5 to 8 the bar or link 1 is positioned between the separate elements of the weight after which said elements are secured together leaving the weight free to be slid along the bar toward one or the other ball holder or cups of the tee.

In Fig. 9 a. weight produced from a single piece of metal bent to form is shown, wherein the inturned lips 13 and 14 stop short of each other leaving a slot or opening 15 into and through which the bar 1 of the-tee may be threaded edgewise and forced into place. Once positioned the bar assumes its normal shape and the weight is free to be moved or slid along the bar.

In Figs. 10 and 11 a weight formed from a single piece of metal adapted to be formed up in a die press is shown. It may be said to comprise a body 16 of loop form having laterally extending flanges or base-members 17 and 18, while at each end, there are produced two inwardly projecting fingers 19 and 20.

In the initial formation of the structure one finger at least on each end will be left in a slightly out-turned position, so as to admit of the introduction of the bar 1 as shown in Fig. 10. The out-turned ends will after such insertion of the bar be brought back into plane with the opposite ends as shownl in Fig. 11.

Under all the constructions above desatisfaction in this respect the weightfmay be covered with rubber, leather, or other material as indicated by 21, Fig. 9. g

In the use of a tee of the type herein set forth the player usually places it with the weight remote from himself; that is .the bar extends away'from the cup or support upon which the ball is placed in a direction remote from the player. With the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 3 the tee is adapted especially for right handed players and when the tee is positioned as just mentioned the depression 4. in the rim stands in the line of flight of the ball. A left handed player to derive the benefit of the depression would have to have the bar extending toward him from the cup or support upon which the ball is placed, and this is undesirable.

To obviate this the supporting elements or cups may be made as in Fig. 12 wherein oppositely disposed depressions or cut-away portions 4 and 1 are provided. Such a construction renders the tee equally effective for both right'and left handed players.

It is of course to be understood that in so far as the generic invention is concerned, that is the two ball supports with the weight shiftable toward one or the other that the ball supports or' tees proper may take any desired form and I do not desire tobe limited to those illustrated. I. may also omit the gateways.

What is claimed is 1. In a golf tee, the combination of a bar; a ball supporting element at each end thereof, said bar and elements being formed of vulcanized rubber and as an integral structure; and a weight slidably mounted upon said bar.

2. In a golf tee, the combination of a plurality of ball supporting elements; a bar connecting the same, said bar and elements being formed from vulcanized rubber and one of said supporting elements being higher than the other; and a weight embracing the bar and slidable along the same toward one or the other of said supporting elements.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a golf tee, comprising a cavitated member having a recess or depression formed in the upper edge of the wall at one side.

4. As a new article of manufacture, a golf tee, comprising a cylindrical shaped member formed of rubber, the upper edge of 1,41o,eee 8 which is provided with a cut away space or space -or gateway through which the 'lower gateway. portion of the ball may travel as it is driven 5. In a golf tee, the combination of a bar; from the tees; and a weight slidably mount- 10 a pair of cup shaped members, one at each ed upon the bar. 5 end of the bar, one of said members being In testimony whereof I have signed my higher than the other, and each-having its name to this specification. upper edge cut away at one side to form a ALLAN E. LARD. 

